We remember what's important to us." I don't think I've watched anything as weird or as indulgent as American Gods. As I've said before, I'm not well acquainted with the novel, but from past experience with Neil Gaiman, he does have the ability to conjure up some far-out concepts. Head Full of Snow demonstrates that boundless imagination quite easily in a story that tells of the god, Anubis, taking a victim to their heaven, a man meeting a Jinn who doesn't grant wishes, and the most unlikely duet robbing a bank. You couldn't make this stuff up - and yet Neil Gaiman has. It's like science-fiction, fantasy and reality all rolled-up together.
The good part is that there's some great character work and the visual aids are so well done that it's hard not to be immersed in the spectacle. The bad part is that three episodes in, I'm still wondering what the hell is going on. Clearly, there's a whole host of god-like beings scattered across the United States, as is self-explanatory in the title. But their respective roles in the wider picture are still unexplained. How do all the Gods that we've been introduced to so far play into the story of Mr Wednesday and Shadow Moon. What overall influence do they have on the story, if any at all? Hopefully these are questions that will be answered soon, but I desperately worry that I'm going to lose the thread along the way before it's given. From what I can gather, Mr. Wednesday, or Odin, is gathering a group of other powerful allies to face up against this modern god, Technical Boy. If it's that simple, why does this feel so complicated. In truth, there's significant lack of coherence to the story. Shadow's journey is a fascinating one - his connection with Zolya, the girl who was supposedly locked in her room in the last episode, was a great way to allows Shadow to change his mind and fight for his life. But, without any clear explanation as to the Wednesday's intentions, there's no meaning to anything that happens. Granted, the scenes outside the bank were cleverly done, and with the snow coming down too - it was all beautifully shot. However, what is this leading to? With Shadow's wife now back from the grave, things appear to be looking even more mad. Once again, I enjoyed the opening sequence. It was played sarcastically and with a bit of comedy involving Mrs. Fadil's cooking. Those landscape shots in the desert after they'd climbed the seemingly endless steps into the clouds - it was a mesmerising use of visual effects. I would also like to heavily praise the acting. Everyone involved are catching the mood perfectly. McShane is just the right amount of humour and candidness, while Shadow is just the right amount of stubborn and grumpiness. Everyone allows their characters to shine individually - each with their own defining traits. I'm still intrigued as to how this show continues and when exactly, within its self-deprecating madness, will it start to form exposition. The characters and beautiful direction may be enough for now, but soon I'm going to need something logical to tide me over. The symbolism regarding snow and the representations of gods are all there, it's just lost in a sea of disconnected plots. 7.5/10
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AuthorA very passionate Welsh nerd... Archives
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